Mosaics

Our first stop in a modern Jordanian village was Madaba where we learned about the Byzantine style mosaic craft. Local disabled villagers are employed by this growing business and we, along with other visitors from around the world, were able to admire their art and even bring some home to the States.

Bethany beyond the Jordan

Today in the distance, looking back over to the Holy Land, Jericho was pointed out to us; when archaeologists excavated the ruins they noted how the wall had fallen inward instead of crumbling as usual. We arrived in Bethany where Elijah was taken up to heaven. This part of our journey was very hot as we walked out to a spot on the Jordan River where, our Saviour, Jesus Christ was baptized by his cousin John the Baptist.

On to Mount Nebo - as our motor coaches strained their way up steep grades, we were on our way to see the traditional burial site for Moses. Traveling across endless desert mountain and valley vistas in all directions, Aaron's burial site was noted also. Now 800 meters above sea level, we sang and prayed together. Sadly Mount Nebo is the location where Moses looked down into the Promised Land not being permitted by the Lord to enter into it before his death because of his anger towards his fellow Israelites.

Border Crossing: Crossing the River Jordan

This morning began at 6:00 a.m. as we prepared to cross the River Jordan into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Starting out at 100 meters below sea level at the Sea of Galilee, the day only went downhill from there, literally - we made our way to the Dead Sea (400 meters below sea level and the lowest point on earth). Although the "no-man's-land" between Israel and Jordan along the river is still fruitful, there is a noticeable climate difference between the two nations.

Most of us said we were surprised and even troubled by the immediately obvious disparities between the neighboring nations. One woman in looking out over the Jordan River Valley rightly quoted scripture about Israel saying, "the land flowing with milk and honey". Our tour guides in both countires pointed out one of the major difficulties in the Middle East - water use.

At the border crossing we were not permitted to use our cameras and much of the experience required the fourth fruit of the Spirit. Even though a Peace Treaty is in place between Israel and Jordan and there is a Free Trade Agreement between Jordan and the United States, tension remains - barbed wire fences, soldiers with weapons, and watch towers. We submitted our passports and luggage to be stamped and inspected. I often wonder what this land was like while Jesus and John the Baptist as well as Elija and Moses lived here.